B: We’d also like to share our sympathy with our listeners around the world who have been impacted by the pandemic, particularly our listeners in India, where the pandemic is killing thousands of people every day.
A: Vietnam has seen rising new COVID-19 infections since late last month after more than a month without community transmission.
 Vietnam's 5K message to prevent COVID-19: wearing face masks in public, keeping a safe distance, disinfecting, avoiding large gatherings, and making health declaration |
B: As of Wednesday morning, Vietnam has recorded more than 2,900 infections, including 38 new locally-transmitted cases since April 27. More than 2,500 patients have fully recovered and 35 have died. So far, about 580,000 people have been vaccinated in Vietnam.
A: We continue to wear face masks in public, try to keep a safe distance, disinfect our hands and work surfaces, avoid large gatherings, and make health declarations when requested.
B: To prevent a new wave of COVID-19, the capital city Hanoi and other localities nationwide have shut down cinemas, gyms, stadiums, spas, massage services, and street restaurants, have banned unnecessary gatherings, and have extended the quarantine period beyond 14 days. So far these measures have proven quite effective—certainly more effective than in many other countries, because compliance here is so widespread.
A: With the COVID-19 pandemic becoming a deadly crisis in many countries, we hope that you stay safe and sound. Please share with us any stories you might have of people displaying courage or showing generosity to others in this difficult time.
B: Any inspiring story that has touched your heart, encouraged you, or cheered you up amid the crisis, please share with us.
B: VOV would like to collect and share such stories with all our listeners around the world.
A: Here’s an example of such a story in Vietnam. When it became clear that many people did not have enough food to get their families through the pandemic, one young Vietnamese entrepreneur invented and deployed a free “rice ATM” in Ho Chi Minh City. Soon rice ATMs were being set up in other cities to dispense free rice to hungry families.
 Vietnam's rice ATM - a beautiful story in the pandemic (Photo: VNA) |
B: Other people hosted weekend ‘markets’ where struggling families could pick up basic essential goods for free, the cost having been absorbed by generous donors. Other generous donors handed out free meals on street corners.
A: Many Vietnamese donated in other ways. Tailors in Quảng Ngãi and Cần Thơ used their sewing machines to create free masks. Volunteers in Đà Nẵng drove through the night to deliver supplies to hospitals. University students gave up their dorm rooms to be used as quarantine facilities. Stories like these have warmed hearts across the country.
B: Friends of VOV, share your stories with us and our other listeners by recording them as mp3 audio files and submitting them with your next reception report to englishsection@vov.vn, so we can play them during our weekly Letter Box. .
A: This week, we’d like to welcome back Jens Adolph of Germany, who finally sent us a letter after a three year hiatus.
B: Thank you, Mr. Adolph, for coming back. We appreciate your detailed reception report for the program on March 26 on the frequency of 7280 khz.
A: Shivendu Paul of India sent us regular feedback on VOV programs on the 24th, 26th, 28th, and 30th of April, and May 1st and 2nd on the frequency of 7220 khz, with SINPO of all 4s.
B: We’d like to acknowledge reception reports for our broadcast on the frequency of 7220 khz sent by Siddhartha Bhattacharjee of India.
A: This week, many listeners discussed Vietnamese food and shared their interest in Vietnamese salad.
B: Today, let’s check out a recipe for banana flower salad with chicken. Banana flower salad is a refreshing dish that’s perfect for a tiring day.
A: Banana flower salad with chicken is simple to make from familiar ingredients available in any Vietnamese kitchen. The main ingredients are chicken breast meat, banana flowers, carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, onion, garlic, and red chili. The banana flowers should be firm, with tightly packed petals. Peel off the outer petals, which are deep magenta in color. Slice them into small pieces and soak them in cold water, adding a little vinegar to keep them from turning black.
B: Banana flowers will turn black when cut open and exposed to the air, so it's important to quickly soak them in water with some acidity. Use lime juice if you don’t have vinegar.
A: Though the outer petals of the banana blossom are too tough to be eaten, don’t throw them away. You can use them for decoration.
B: You should make a little marinade for the chicken, pretty easy, with some pork fat, some lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic. You’ll need to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before grilling. The chicken breast is then grilled over charcoal until golden on the outside and moist and delicious inside. Cook the chicken breasts just before making the salad and let them rest for a few minutes before mixing with the other ingredients.
B: The finished chicken is tender and juicy on the inside with a savory, smokey crust. Just close your eyes and picture a perfect bowl of salad with grilled chicken breast on top of a bed of sliced banana blossoms, grated carrots, and sliced cucumber. This salad is so filling and delicious it can be served for lunch or dinner.
A: The dressing is the most important part of the salad. To make the dressing, mix sugar, vinegar, lime juice, and fish sauce. Garlic and chili are pounded to a smooth paste and added to the dressing. Mix the prepared banana blossoms with the grilled chicken, sliced carrots, cucumber, onion, and some Vietnamese herbs. Toss with the dressing and topped with chopped roasted peanuts. The salad is then served in a banana blossom outer leaf. This sweet-sour salad is a great choice for a summer day.
B: We hope our detailed recipe will enable and inspire you to make a banana flower salad with chicken at home. Make it and email photos of it to englishsection@vov.vn.
A: We’d like to thank you all for listening to our broadcasts and sending your feedback to us. We always welcome your feedback at: English Service, VOVWORLD, the Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, Vietnam. Or you can email us at: englishsection@vov.vn. You’re invited to visit us online at vovworld.vn, where you can hear both live and recorded programs.
A: Check out our VOV Media App, available on both the IOS and Android platform, to hear our live broadcasts. We look forward to your feedback on the mobile version of vovworld.vn. Once again, thank you all for listening. Goodbye until next time.